The Law Dictionary for Everyone
When someone has a “fiduciary duty,” this means that he is responsible for acting in a way that benefits another person. An example of a fiduciary duty is a legal guardian taking care of a minor. The legal guardian’s fiduciary duty is to make the best decisions on the minor’s behalf, such as medical care and the school the minor […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Ghen v. Rich, 8 F. 159 (1881) Case Summary of Ghen v. Rich: Ghen, a fisherman, killed a whale in Massachusetts Bay. Ellis found the whale several days later. Rather than follow custom and bring the whale to town to give it to the fisherman and collect a finder’s fee, Ellis sold the whale to […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Dolan v. City of Tigard, 512 U.S. 374 (1994) Case Summary of Dolan v. City of Tigard: Petitioner Dolan sought to make changes to her business property. The City of Tigard placed two conditions on granting Dolan permission — a public greenway to mitigate flooding, and a pedestrian/bicycle path. Dolan appealed in state court, claiming […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Keeble v. Hickeringill, 11 East 570 (1707) Case Summary of Keeble v. Hickeringill: Keeble ran a decoy pond on his land for his livelihood. Hickeringill fired a gun in order to scare the ducks away from Keeble’s pond. Keeble sued Hickeringill for interfering in his business. A verdict was entered in favor of Keeble, awarding […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Katko v. Briney, 183 N.W.2d 657 (1971) Case Summary of Katko v. Briney: Defendants set up a spring gun to guard against people trespassing into their unoccupied farmhouse. Plaintiff broke into the house and was seriously injured by the spring gun. At trial, Plaintiff won a verdict of $20,000 actual, and $10,000 punitive, damages. Defendant […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Kelo v. City of New London, United States Supreme Court, (2005) Case summary for Kelo v. City of New London: After residing there for over sixty years, Susette Kelo was notified by the city of New London that the property was going to be taken away through the city’s eminent domain powers and sold […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Pennoyer v. Neff, 95 U.S. 714 (1878). Case Summary of Pennoyer v. Neff: An attorney, Mitchell, sued Neff in Oregon state court. Neff did not live in Oregon. Mitchell served notice of the suit by publication, not by personal service. Once Mitchell received a default judgment against Neff, Mitchell sold property Neff owned in Oregon […]
Read moreThe common law definition of chattel is any property that is not land or physical items belonging to that land. Today, chattel is defined as any item of personal property and that can be moved. Examples of chattel, as defined in common law, include furniture, clothes hanging in the closet, and cattle on a farm. When someone moves out of […]
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